Importance of multidrug efflux pumps in the antimicrobial resistance property of clinical multidrug-resistant isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2014 Jun;58(6):3556-9. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00038-14. Epub 2014 Apr 14.

Abstract

The contribution of drug efflux pumps in clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae that express extensively drug-resistant or multidrug-resistant phenotypes has heretofore not been examined. Accordingly, we assessed the effect on antimicrobial resistance of loss of the three gonococcal efflux pumps associated with a known capacity to export antimicrobials (MtrC-MtrD-MtrE, MacA-MacB, and NorM) in such clinical isolates. We report that the MIC of several antimicrobials, including seven previously and currently recommended for treatment was significantly impacted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / genetics
  • Genes, MDR / physiology*
  • Gonorrhea / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mutation
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / drug effects
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / genetics*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins